Core Dump
Core Dump RSSStephen Withers turns his gaze on the world of Apple, with detours into other aspects of IT and communications as they catch his attention.
Technology news and Jobs arrow Our Blogs arrow Core Dump arrow DPCP blocks MacBook movie playback
DPCP blocks MacBook movie playback E-mail
by Stephen Withers   
Friday, 21 November 2008
Owners of new MacBooks are crying foul over a feature that blocks the use of many external displays for watching movies.

Register now to win a Canon EOS 500D Cannon EOS 500D Digiral SLR

Current model MacBooks and MacBook Pros feature a DisplayPort video connector for hooking up external screens and projectors. That's no problem for normal use - the fun and games start when owners attempt to play copy-protected high-definition videos.

DPCP (DisplayPort Copy Protection) and the related HDCP (High Definition Copy Protection) were designed to prevent protected content from being intercepted as it passes between the source and destination devices, such as Blu-ray players or computers, and high-definition TVs or computer displays.

If the destination device doesn't handshake with the source - most likely because it is an older model that doesn't support the standard - the source won't send the content.

And that's what's happening when people try to play at least some HD movies they've obtained from the iTunes Store.

If a MacBook is connected to an Apple Cinema Display (which sounds like it should be ideal for watching movies), trying to play a HDCP afflicted movie results in a message saying "This movie cannot be played because a display that is not authorized to play protected movies is connected."

Users are reporting that this is occurring with both rented and purchased movies.

What can be done? Please read on.



 
< Next story in category   Previous story in the category >
iTWire user statistics Visitors last 30 days
665,005
Subscribers 14,517
#1 independent technology news advertise here
  •   *  
  • Search
  • AdvSeach
  • Login
  • Events
  • FreeStuff

Follow iTWire on Twitter

About iTWire

iTWire is all about technology news, information, jobs and community for the IT and telecommunications industry professional. Subscribe to our free ICT daily newsletter